PSPO vs CSPO vs Product Masterclass: Which certification suits your career better?

The most important facts at a glance

• Scrum.org's PSPO certification is a cost-effective and flexible option for product management professionals looking for a lifelong qualification without mandatory courses.
• The CSPO certification from the Scrum Alliance offers hands-on training and requires regular recertification every two years, making it the best choice for continuous professional development.
• The Product Masterclass is an intensive 8-week coaching program that offers comprehensive knowledge of product development and management beyond the Scrum framework and is particularly suitable for ambitious product managers.

What is the PSPO?

The Scrum Product Owner certification, also known as Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO), is an internationally recognized qualification offered by Scrum.org. It is aimed at individuals who wish to fulfill the role of Product Owner in the Scrum framework. The course and certification emphasizes the importance of product management within the Scrum framework and is particularly suitable for product managers, business analysts and project managers.

Participants of the PSPO course receive:

• Valuable insights into agile product management, value-oriented development and the Scrum framework
• Techniques for defining the product vision and evaluating product progress
• An online exam with 80 questions that must be answered within 60 minutes in order to obtain certification.

The two-day course offers comprehensive training and preparation for certification.

A major advantage of PSPO certification is its lifetime validity, which does not require re-examination or re-certification. This makes it a cost-effective and flexible option for professionals who want to deepen their knowledge in the field of product management.

What is CSPO?

The Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification, offered by the Scrum Alliance , focuses on developing product management skills in the Scrum framework. It aims to provide a better understanding of the Scrum model and the specific role of the Product Owner in the Scrum team.

The CSPO course is designed to be interactive and hands-on, often without the use of PowerPoint, to make the various concepts within the Scrum team tangible. The training courses are conducted by experienced trainers and include techniques and skills to successfully fulfill the role of product owner.

What is the Product Masterclass

The Product Masterclass is an intensive 8-week coaching program led by experienced product managers. It offers a holistic view of product development and goes beyond Scrum by providing participants with input from customer analysis to product discovery, stakeholder management and software delivery using case studies, methods and best practices.

This program is particularly suitable for software product managers and product owners who want to develop their job skills and mindset to take the next step in their product career. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the training, which they can display on their LinkedIn profile.

Differences between PSPO, CSPO and the Product Masterclass

The main differences between PSPO, CSPO and the Product Masterclass are:

• the accreditation bodies (PSPO certification from Scrum.org, CSPO certification from the Scrum Alliance, the Product Masterclass)
• the costs
• Contents
• the validity
• the training requirements
• the examination modalities.

The Product Masterclass, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive concept that goes beyond the Scrum framework and also includes aspects such as product discovery and stakeholder management. This makes it particularly valuable for digital product managers who want to progress in their career.

Costs and validity

The costs and validity of the certifications vary considerably. The self-study test at Scrum.org for the PSPO certification costs 200 dollars, while attending a workshop is considerably more expensive, starting at around 700€, depending on the provider. A major advantage of PSPO certification is that it is valid for life and does not require recertification.

The CSPO certification is significantly more expensive and can cost between around €1,599 and €2,999, depending on the provider. It also has to be renewed every two years, which entails additional costs for Scrum Education Units.

The Product Masterclass costs 1990 euros net and the certificate is also valid for life.

Contents

The CSPO and PSPO focus on Scrum. Scrum is a framework for agile project management and software development. Both certifications help product owners to deepen their skills in agile product management. However, the Scrum framework is not designed to cover product management holistically. Scrum does not contain any instructions or guidelines on how product discovery, customer centricity, the creation of roadmaps or similar are actually done in practice.

The Product Masterclass is broader in scope and covers topics such as product discovery, customer centricity, stakeholder management and lateral leadership skills. It provides participants with deeper insights into the different phases of product development and management, including strategies for identifying customer needs and developing innovative solutions. In addition, advanced techniques for prioritizing product features and communicating effectively with various stakeholders are taught. By combining theory and practice, the Product Masterclass enables participants to apply their skills to real projects and gain valuable experience that will take their skills and confidence to a new level.

Training requirements

The training requirements also differ considerably. No specific training is required for PSPO certification; it can be obtained simply by passing an online test. This flexibility makes it particularly attractive for professionals who want to learn on their own.

CSPO certification, on the other hand, requires active and complete participation in a course lasting at least two days, which is conducted by a certified trainer from the Scrum Alliance.

The CSPO and PSPO usually comprise 16 to 24 hours, spread over 2 to 3 days. The various Scrum certifications are also discussed.

There are no formal requirements for the Product Masterclass. However, it is recommended that participants are already product owners or product managers or want to switch to digital product management.

Unlike Scrum training, the Product Masterclass is part-time and requires around 2-3 hours per week. By accompanying the participants in their day-to-day work, the Product Masterclass training is much more practice-oriented and can be seen more like coaching.

Examination modalities

The examination modalities also differ significantly. In order to obtain the PSPO certification from Scrum.org, an online exam must be passed, which consists of 80 questions and must be answered in 60 minutes. The pass rate is 85%.

No final examination is required for CSPO certification; participation in the course is sufficient.

The Product Masterclass also does not have an exam. You will receive your certificate at the end of the 8 weeks.

Similarities between PSPO and CSPO

PSPO and CSPO have in common that they focus on the role of the product owner in the Scrum framework and are recognized worldwide. Both certifications aim to improve understanding and skills in agile product management.

A Product Owner is responsible for the Product Owner role, which includes:

• maximizing the value of the products produced by a Scrum development team
• making crucial prioritization decisions based on the product backlog
• Close collaboration with stakeholders and the Scrum team

PSPO and CSPO attach great importance to the Product Owner fulfilling these tasks.

Advantages of PSPO certification

The PSPO certification offers several advantages, including its lifetime validity, which does not require re-examination or re-certification. This makes it a cost-effective option for professionals who want to deepen their knowledge in the field of product management.

Another advantage is the flexibility, as exam preparation can be carried out independently and materials and exams are available online. The exam content is based on real product management situations, which ensures a high level of practical relevance.

Advantages of CSPO certification

The CSPO certification offers practical training that helps participants to develop and consolidate an agile mindset. After completing the training, product owners are well equipped to recognize customer needs and set the right priorities.

Another benefit is membership of the Scrum Alliance community and the opportunity to gain Scrum Alliance certification, which ensures that participants keep up to date with the latest tools, trends and developments. This provides continuous professional development and just-in-time training.

Advantages of the Product Masterclass

The Product Masterclass offers individual coaching tailored to the specific challenges and professional situations of the participants. Over a period of 8 weeks, four coaches accompany the participants and provide valuable feedback.

Another advantage is the opportunity to gain insights into other companies and to network with other product managers. The cohort organization of the Masterclass promotes exchange and networking.

Summary: Which certification suits you better?

The choice depends on your personal situation. If you are just starting out in digital product management, it definitely makes sense to take a closer look at Scrum and software delivery.

We recommend that you take the Scrum.org certification as a self-study course. Depending on your previous experience, this takes a few days, costs only 200 USD and can be taken 100% remotely. You can find a free guide here >>

Afterwards, we recommend that you take part in the Product Masterclass to expand your knowledge of product management. You can find more information about the Product Masterclass here >>

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between PSPO and CSPO?

The main difference is that PSPO is offered by Scrum.org and CSPO is offered by the Scrum Alliance. Therefore, the choice depends on your preferences and requirements.

Which certification is more cost-effective?

PSPO certification is cheaper and valid for life compared to CSPO certification, which is more expensive and must be renewed every two years. PSPO certification is therefore the more cost-effective option.

Do I need training for PSPO certification?

No, no specific training is required for the PSPO certification as it can be obtained by passing an online test.

Which certification offers practical training?

The Product Masterclass accompanies you in your job for 8 weeks. You can contribute your situation to every topic in the coaching call. This is why the Product Masterclass is by far the best for participants who are looking for practical relevance.

What are the advantages of the Product Masterclass?

The Product Masterclass offers individual coaching, insights into other companies and networking opportunities, which are clear advantages for the participants. Over 8 weeks you will work with 4 coaches from the fields of product, business, design and software engineering. This gives you an insight into how top digital companies develop products.

‍